耶穌與尼克迪莫

有一個人,屬於法利賽人,名叫尼克迪莫,是猶太人的一位首領。 他夜裡來到耶穌那裡,說:「拉比,我們知道你是從神那裡來的老師,因為你所行的這些神蹟,如果沒有神的同在,沒有人能做得到。」

耶穌回答說:「我確確實實地告訴你:一個人如果不重生[a],就不能見神的國。」

尼克迪莫問:「人老了,怎麼能出生呢?他難道能再進母腹又出生嗎?」

耶穌回答:「我確確實實地告訴你:一個人如果不是由水和聖靈所生的,就不能進入神的國。 由肉體所生的,就是肉體;由聖靈所生的,就是靈。 我說『你們必須重生[b]』,你不要感到驚奇。 [c]隨意而吹,你聽見風聲,卻不知道它從哪裡來,往哪裡去。所有由聖靈所生的,也是這樣。」

尼克迪莫又問:「怎麼能有這些事呢?」

10 耶穌回答說:「你是以色列的老師,還不明白這些事嗎? 11 我確確實實地告訴你:我們講論我們所知道的,我們見證我們所看到的,而你們卻不接受我們的見證。 12 我告訴你們地上的事,你們尚且不信,如果我告訴你們天上的事,你們怎麼會信呢? 13 除了從天上降下來的人子,[d]沒有人升過天。 14 摩西在曠野怎樣把銅蛇舉起,人子也必須照樣被舉起來, 15 好使所有相信他的人[e],都得到永恆的生命。

16 「神愛世人,甚至賜下他的獨生子,好讓所有信他的人不至於滅亡,反得永恆的生命, 17 因為神差派他的[f]兒子來到世上,不是為了定世人的罪,而是為了世人藉著他得救。 18 信他的人,不被定罪;不信的人,已經被定罪了,因為他不信神獨生子的名。

19 「所定的罪是這樣的:光來到了世界,人們卻因自己的行為邪惡,不喜愛光,反喜愛黑暗。 20 事實上,所有作惡的人,都憎恨光,不來到光那裡,免得自己的行為被揭露出來; 21 但行真理的人,卻來到光那裡,為了顯明自己所做的是在神裡面被做成的。」

耶穌與施洗約翰

22 這些事以後,耶穌和他的門徒們來到猶太地區,住在那裡,並且給人施洗。 23 約翰也在撒令附近的艾嫩施洗,因為那裡水多。眾人紛紛而來受洗。 24 原來,約翰那時候還沒有被投進監獄。

25 約翰的門徒們與一個[g]猶太人,為了潔淨禮起了辯論。 26 他們就到約翰那裡,對他說:「拉比,你看,以前與你在約旦河對岸的,就是你所見證的那一位,他也在施洗,而且大家都到他那裡去了。」

27 約翰回答說:「如果不是從天上賜下的,人就不能得到什麼。 28 你們自己可以為我見證:我曾經說過『我不是基督,而是奉差派在他前面的。』 29 迎娶新娘的是新郎。新郎的朋友站在那裡,聽到新郎的聲音,就歡喜快樂。這樣,我這喜樂得以滿足了。 30 他必興旺,我必衰微。」

來自天上的那一位

31 那從上面來的,是在萬有之上;那從地而出的,屬於地,而且所說的也屬於地。那從天上來的,是在萬有之上, 32 他見證他所看到的、他所聽到的,可是沒有人接受他的見證。 33 那接受他見證的人,就印證了神是真實的。 34 神所差派的那一位,就說神的話語,因為神不靠著量度賜下聖靈。 35 父愛子,把一切都交在他手裡了。 36 信從子的人,就有永恆的生命;但是不肯信從子的人,見不到生命,而且神的震怒也停留在他身上。

Footnotes

  1. 約翰福音 3:3 重生——或譯作「由上天而生」。
  2. 約翰福音 3:7 重生——或譯作「由上天而生」。
  3. 約翰福音 3:8 風——或譯作「靈」或「聖靈」。
  4. 約翰福音 3:13 有古抄本附「就是在天上的那一位,」。
  5. 約翰福音 3:15 有古抄本附「不至於滅亡,反而」。
  6. 約翰福音 3:17 有古抄本沒有「他的」。
  7. 約翰福音 3:25 一個——有古抄本作「一些」。

论重生

有一个法利赛人名叫尼哥德慕,是犹太人的官。 一天晚上,他来见耶稣,说:“老师,我们知道你是上帝差来教导人的,因为如果没有上帝的同在,没有人能行你所行的神迹。”

耶稣说:“我实实在在地告诉你,人若不重生[a],就不能看见上帝的国。”

尼哥德慕说:“人老了,怎能重生呢?难道要再进母腹生一次吗?”

耶稣说:“我实实在在地告诉你,人如果不是从水和圣灵生的,就不能进上帝的国。 从肉体生的还是肉体,从圣灵生的才是灵。 所以我说你们必须重生,你不要惊奇。 风随意吹动,你听见它的声音,却不知道它从哪里来,往哪里去。凡从圣灵生的人也是这样。”

尼哥德慕又问:“这怎么可能呢?”

10 耶稣说:“你是以色列人的教师,还不明白这事吗? 11 我实实在在地告诉你,我们所说的是自己知道的,所见证的是自己见过的,可是你们不肯接受我们的见证。 12 我对你们说地上的事,你们尚且不信,要是说天上的事,你们怎么会信呢? 13 除了从天上降下来的人子[b]以外,没有人到过天上。 14 摩西在旷野怎样举起铜蛇,人子也必照样被举起来, 15 叫一切信祂的人都得到永生。

16 “因为上帝爱世人,甚至将祂独一的儿子赐给他们,叫一切信祂的人不致灭亡,反得永生。 17 上帝差祂的儿子到世上来,不是要定世人的罪,而是要借着祂的儿子拯救世人。 18 信祂的人不会被定罪,不信的人已经被定罪,因为他们不信上帝独一的儿子。 19 光来到世上,世人因为自己的行为邪恶而不爱光,反爱黑暗,这就是他们被定罪的原因。 20 作恶的人恨光,不肯接近光,恐怕他们的罪行暴露出来。 21 但遵行真理的人喜欢接近光,好显明他所做的是靠上帝做的。”

施洗者约翰论耶稣

22 这事之后,耶稣和门徒前往犹太地区,在那里住下来给人施洗。 23-24 那时约翰还没有入狱,他在靠近撒冷的哀嫩也给人施洗。那里水多,众人都去受洗。 25 约翰的门徒和一个犹太人为了洁净的礼仪争辩起来, 26 于是门徒来见约翰,说:“老师,你看,以前在约旦河对岸和你在一起、你为祂做见证的那位在给人施洗,众人都去祂那里了!”

27 约翰回答说:“除非是从天上赏赐下来的,否则人什么都得不到。 28 你们自己可以为我做见证,我说过我不是基督,我只是奉差在祂前面预备道路的。 29 娶新娘的是新郎,站在旁边的朋友听见新郎的声音,就会欢喜快乐。因此,我现在也心满意足了。 30 祂必兴旺,我必衰微。

31 “从天上来的,超越一切;从地上来的,属于地,他所谈论的也不外乎地上的事。那来自天上、超越万物的, 32 要把所见所闻讲给人听,只是没有人接受祂的见证。 33 但已经接受祂见证的人证实了上帝是真实的。 34 上帝所差来的,说的是上帝的话,因为上帝将圣灵无限量地赐给祂。 35 父爱子,已把万物交在祂手里。 36 信子的人有永生;不信子的人得不到永生,上帝的烈怒常在他身上。”

Footnotes

  1. 3:3 重生”或译“生自上面”,7节同。
  2. 3:13 从天上降下来的人子”有古卷作:“从天降下、仍旧在天的人子”。

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus(A) who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.(B) He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi,(C) we know(D) that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs(E) you are doing if God were not with him.”(F)

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a](G)

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.(H) Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit.(I) You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[d](J)

“How can this be?”(K) Nicodemus asked.

10 “You are Israel’s teacher,”(L) said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know,(M) and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.(N) 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven(O) except the one who came from heaven(P)—the Son of Man.[e](Q) 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness,(R) so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[f](S) 15 that everyone who believes(T) may have eternal life in him.”[g](U)

16 For God so loved(V) the world that he gave(W) his one and only Son,(X) that whoever believes(Y) in him shall not perish but have eternal life.(Z) 17 For God did not send his Son into the world(AA) to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.(AB) 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned,(AC) but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.(AD) 19 This is the verdict: Light(AE) has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.(AF) 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.(AG) 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

John Testifies Again About Jesus

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.(AH) 23 Now John(AI) also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.)(AJ) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.(AK) 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi,(AL) that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified(AM) about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’(AN) 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom.(AO) The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.(AP) 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”[h]

31 The one who comes from above(AQ) is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth.(AR) The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard,(AS) but no one accepts his testimony.(AT) 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent(AU) speaks the words of God, for God[i] gives the Spirit(AV) without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.(AW) 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,(AX) but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

Footnotes

  1. John 3:3 The Greek for again also means from above; also in verse 7.
  2. John 3:6 Or but spirit
  3. John 3:7 The Greek is plural.
  4. John 3:8 The Greek for Spirit is the same as that for wind.
  5. John 3:13 Some manuscripts Man, who is in heaven
  6. John 3:14 The Greek for lifted up also means exalted.
  7. John 3:15 Some interpreters end the quotation with verse 21.
  8. John 3:30 Some interpreters end the quotation with verse 36.
  9. John 3:34 Greek he

The New Birth

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. (A)This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for (B)no one can do these signs that You do unless (C)God is with him.”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, (D)unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, (E)unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is (F)flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (G)The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus answered and said to Him, (H)“How can these things be?”

10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 (I)Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and (J)you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 (K)No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man [b]who is in heaven. 14 (L)And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so (M)must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever (N)believes in Him should [c]not perish but (O)have eternal life. 16 (P)For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten (Q)Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 (R)For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18 (S)“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, (T)that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For (U)everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been (V)done in God.”

John the Baptist Exalts Christ

22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them (W)and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near (X)Salim, because there was much water there. (Y)And they came and were baptized. 24 For (Z)John had not yet been thrown into prison.

25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, (AA)to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all (AB)are coming to Him!”

27 John answered and said, (AC)“A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, (AD)‘I am not the Christ,’ but, (AE)‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 (AF)He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but (AG)the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 (AH)He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 (AI)He who comes from above (AJ)is above all; (AK)he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. (AL)He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And (AM)what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony (AN)has certified that God is true. 34 (AO)For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit (AP)by measure. 35 (AQ)The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 (AR)He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the (AS)wrath of God abides on him.”

Footnotes

  1. John 3:3 Or from above
  2. John 3:13 NU omits who is in heaven
  3. John 3:15 NU omits not perish but